What is the most gas-efficient speed?

[gokidd]

What would you guess to be the most gas-efficient speed for a PCX 150 on flat ground with no wind?
Would a team of PCX riders be able to achieve even better gas mileage than a single rider, if they were able to efficiently operate at this speed, sharing turns at the front of the formation and benefiting from drafting ala a bicycle racing team?

[Carpathian hawk]

The speed is 65 km/h. But is boring for a good asphalt and more than 10 km riding....so a "win-win" speed is 80 km/h.

[Tom192]

I find cruising at 50 gets good mpg 128 on last tank

[gokidd]

Thanks, Hawk.
Tom, that sounds like excellent performance at 50!

[cessna151]

The highest mpg occurs at the lowest speed possible that keeps the clutch fully engaged. Any faster than that is a compromise between speed and mpg; higher speed-lower mpg, slower speed-higher mpg.

[gokidd]

Yep, understood.
With no tachometer or shift lever, it's a matter of listening to the engine and sensing the vibrations.
Very Jedi ...

[you you]

The highest mpg occurs at the lowest speed possible that keeps the clutch fully engaged. Any faster than that is a compromise between speed and mpg; higher speed-lower mpg, slower speed-higher mpg.

Isn't the clutch fully engaged at just over walking speed?

[jprestonian]

The best measured tank I ever had was about 2-3 weeks after I got my 125... when I went on a long, slow ride with some 50cc riders that averaged 24mph, as measured by MyTracks. :)

My daily commute is more like an average of 38mph (with much at 50+), and so my overall average is a LOT lower than that one long, slow ride.
.

[dasshreddar]

Yep, understood.
With no tachometer or shift lever, it's a matter of listening to the engine and sensing the vibrations.
Very Jedi ...

Yes, use the force when shifting...

[pozo]

The best mileage obtained was 132 mpg at 30-35mph. More commonly, I get 105 mpg at around 40 mph, and at 50mph, the mpg drops to the low 90's.

At these speeds, most of the energy used on a motorcycle is to overcome wind resistance. So, yes, in theory a draft team would improve efficiency (just like cyclists do) although the danger in riding in such tight formation on public roads would probably overshadow any benefits in improved mpg....

[you you]

The best mileage obtained was 132 mpg at 30-35mph. More commonly, I get 105 mpg at around 40 mph, and at 50mph, the mpg drops to the low 90's.

At these speeds, most of the energy used on a motorcycle is to overcome wind resistance. So, yes, in theory a draft team would improve efficiency (just like cyclists do) although the danger in riding in such tight formation on public roads would probably overshadow any benefits in improved mpg....

And they might not want to go where you want to go

[gokidd]

The best mileage obtained was 132 mpg at 30-35mph. More commonly, I get 105 mpg at around 40 mph, and at 50mph, the mpg drops to the low 90's.

At these speeds, most of the energy used on a motorcycle is to overcome wind resistance. So, yes, in theory a draft team would improve efficiency (just like cyclists do) although the danger in riding in such tight formation on public roads would probably overshadow any benefits in improved mpg....

And they might not want to go where you want to go

Crowdsourcing meets scooter touring!

[skuuter]

My "Old" PCX125, and my "New" PCX150 tended/tend to "hover/average" around the 90 MPG mark for the most part in every day use under realistic conditions of combined 4-Lane Hwys, City Streets, and lots of Twisty Mountain and Country Back Roads.....my Forza300 "hovers" around the 78 to 80 MPG mark.....

[skuuter]

A Group of us used to "Line Draft" a lot with Ruckus 50 Scooters...especially in the Smoky Mountains....keeping Tires perfectly in line, inches apart isn't really safe and should only (in my opinion) be done with Riders You are really, really familiar riding with. Each Ruckus was different and had it's strong point, whether that be climbing, downhill, flats, and/or Rider Skills.....Leaders were swapped quickly and at efficient points....Lotsa' fun, and kept speeds much better for the whole Group since 50cc doesn't leave a lot to spare.....

[sendler2112]

My "Old" PCX125, and my "New" PCX150 tended/tend to "hover/average" around the 90 MPG mark for the most part in every day use under realistic conditions of combined 4-Lane Hwys, City Streets, and lots of Twisty Mountain and Country Back Roads.....my Forza300 "hovers" around the 78 to 80 MPG mark.....

Are you on Fuelly? Help promote fuel efficient transportation.
.
http://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/honda/forza%20300
.

[cessna151]

The highest mpg occurs at the lowest speed possible that keeps the clutch fully engaged. Any faster than that is a compromise between speed and mpg; higher speed-lower mpg, slower speed-higher mpg.

Isn't the clutch fully engaged at just over walking speed?

Correct. The slower you go the better the mpg, until the clutch starts slipping of course.

[gokidd]

A Group of us used to "Line Draft" a lot with Ruckus 50 Scooters...especially in the Smoky Mountains....keeping Tires perfectly in line, inches apart isn't really safe and should only (in my opinion) be done with Riders You are really, really familiar riding with. Each Ruckus was different and had it's strong point, whether that be climbing, downhill, flats, and/or Rider Skills.....Leaders were swapped quickly and at efficient points....Lotsa' fun, and kept speeds much better for the whole Group since 50cc doesn't leave a lot to spare.....

Too cool!

[you you]

The highest mpg occurs at the lowest speed possible that keeps the clutch fully engaged. Any faster than that is a compromise between speed and mpg; higher speed-lower mpg, slower speed-higher mpg.

Isn't the clutch fully engaged at just over walking speed?

Correct. The slower you go the better the mpg, until the clutch starts slipping of course.

Life is too short

[ScooterKim]

mostly I do 35--50 mph on a 20 mile commute each day. I was getting around 115 mpg. the last fill up I was cruising around 50--60 mph a lot and got 92 mpg. NOW I see why, by reading the above posts. I like to maximize my gas mileage but when I really thought about it, it's all about fun on a PCX! so what if I get 90 mpg instead of 115 or 120 mpg... big whoop. this isn't a car that you try to get the most out of the gas. this is ALL about the FUN!

[pozo]

The best mileage obtained was 132 mpg at 30-35mph. More commonly, I get 105 mpg at around 40 mph, and at 50mph, the mpg drops to the low 90's.

At these speeds, most of the energy used on a motorcycle is to overcome wind resistance. So, yes, in theory a draft team would improve efficiency (just like cyclists do) although the danger in riding in such tight formation on public roads would probably overshadow any benefits in improved mpg....

Just wanted to add that the 132mpg was more of a proof-of-concept, aimed to demonstrate what is possible out of this bike. In other words, I specifically rode with under ultra-gentle conditions, just giving it enough gas to keep it moving forward at about 30 mph, leaning over the bars to reduce drag, etc. I would NOT recommend riding like this under normal conditions. Nevertheless, as others have pointed out, it is not too difficult to ride achieve around 100mpg, even at 40-45 mph under real-world conditions --just be gentle on the throttle.